Captain Nemo, outer, was terrific in winning last start but he has a nightmare draw this week.
Tommy right in it from four on Friday but last-start winner Nemo has a nightmare draw
By Barry Lichter • 22 December 2022
If things go to plan, Tommy Lincoln can run top four for Lincoln Farms at Albion Park on Friday, says trainer Mark Dux.
But a horror outside draw has taken brave last-start winner Captain Nemo right out of contention in his event.
Tommy Lincoln starts from four on the gate in the final race, giving him the chance to cross to the lead with three lesser lights drawn inside him.
That’s a stark contrast from his last start two weeks ago when, from the outside of the gate in the Lord Mayors Cup, he was always out the back.
Despite beating only one home, Tommy, a $146 outsider, was clocked over his last 800 metres in a slick 54.33, and 400 in 26.97, his sectionals again right up with the money-winners.
Mach Da Vinci ran 53.92 and 26.55, no better than Tommy’s effort given he travelled 14 metres more in the running.
“He (Mathew Neilson) let Tommy coast up the straight too, didn’t knock him around.
“He’s running consistently fast sectionals. In these races it’s just where you land and how the race is run. Not many can come from the back.
“This week we’ve got to roll the dice - go forward and hopefully put him on the front end.”
Dux says the speed Tommy’s been showing at the start gives him a good chance of crossing Escalera, drawn immediately inside him.
“We just don’t want to fire him up too much and run the risk of him cutting his air off again.
“It will all depend on how much work we have to do at the start. If we can get the lead easily enough he’ll be more than competitive. I could see him being right there.
“Uncle Shank and Turn It Up are the two to beat over a mile but the only one I’d like to hand to is Uncle Shank. We don’t need to end up three back.”
Dux says his daughter Madi, home from Leeton in New South Wales for Christmas, will have no option but to drive Captain Nemo cold in the seventh race and hope he can run home.
“It’s a nightmare of a draw and a tough field. I’d have preferred the back row to seven.
“He’s been wanting to run the gate but she’ll have to try to get him back and take short cuts. He went terriffic (to win) the other day but you’d gut him trying to go forward in this field unless a lot of them dragged back hard.”
Captain Nemo races at 6.50pm NZ time at Albion Park on Friday.
Tommy Lincoln races at 8.25pm NZ time at Albion Park on Friday.
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Nathan’s comments
Thurday night at Cambridge
Race 2: Dreams Of Eric
6.03pm
“He’s just come back from a two-week break and seems a lot better after the freshen-up. He’s training really well but this will be like a trial for him. There looks to be a lot of speed in the race so, from five, he won’t be put into the early rush. We’re still aiming him at the Harness 5000 at Ashburton in December.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Kevin Kline
4.44pm
“He was held up last week but still got home really well, hard on their backs and, with the right trip, he’ll be dangerous. But the race looks suited to a horse like Hooray Henry who, in a small field, can sit back and outsprint them.
Race 9: Tyson
8.54pm
“We were looking to sit in with him last week but it didn’t work out. He still ran on pretty well as he always does. He just needs a bit of luck.”
Race 9: Debbie Lincoln
8.54pm
“Maurice was happy with her run last week and said she paced strongly through the line. From seven on the gate this week she’ll have to go back but I think she’s better coming from off the pace. She’s a good chance if she can get sucked into it at the right time.”
